5-507.   Programs or individuals in dispute resolution; approval of;application;annual report.(a) A program orindividual not connected with a court and desiring approval mayapply to the director to be approved under the dispute resolution act bysubmitting anapplicationwhich includes:

      (1)   A plan for the operation of the program or service;

      (2)   the program or individual's objectives;

      (3)   the areas of population to be served;

      (4)   the administrative organization of the program orservice;

      (5)   recordkeeping procedures;

      (6)   the procedures for client intake and for scheduling, conducting andterminating dispute resolution sessions;

      (7)   qualifications for neutral persons forthe program;

      (8)   an annual budget for the program; and

      (9)   such additional criteria for approval orfor grants which are prescribed by the director in accordance with the disputeresolution act or by rules of the supreme court adopted pursuant to the disputeresolution act.

      (b)   The director shall approve or disapprove each application submitted forapproval under this section by the end of the second meeting of the advisorycouncil occurring after the date the application was submitted.

      (c)   Each approved program shall submit an annual report tothe director. Thereports shall include the number and types of cases handled in the year and ashowing of continued compliance with the dispute resolution act.

      (d)   Any entities, programs or individuals providing dispute resolutionservices and existing on July 1, 1994, shallnot be approved under the dispute resolution act unless such entities applyand areapproved under this section.

      History:   L. 1994, ch. 217, § 7;L. 1996, ch. 140, § 7; July 1.